Des Moines school leaders received the green light Thursday from the State Board of Education to open a charter school next fall, but the plan could stall if the district fails to come up with the money to launch it.

School leaders have turned to donors for up to $1.5 million in startup costs for the downtown school, which would target middle and high school students who are on track to drop out.

District officials face an unprecedented $30 million in budget cuts. State law provides no startup money for charter schools, and the district's bid for a federal grant was rejected because U.S. Department of Education officials believe charter schools should run independently of traditional public school districts.

"We have said to our board all along that we will not open a charter school if we cannot get the necessary funds from somewhere outside of our general fund," Des Moines Superintendent Nancy Sebring said. "If we don't get enough money, we wait a year."